Provost Statement: QS Best Student Cities

20 February 2017

22 U21 member cities have been named in Top 100 QS Best Student Cities rankings

Finding the right university in the right city and country in which to study is a major concern for any international student, whether it is for a full degree, a year, or a semester abroad. Living and working in a location that is safe, welcoming, and intellectually stimulating can make a major difference not only to the quality of students’ study outcomes but also on their general well-being and happiness.

Of the 25 universities in the Universitas 21(U21) network almost 90% of them are in cities in the Top 100 of the recently published QS Best Student Cities index, which identifies the best cities worldwide in which international students can study. Over 70% of them in are in the Top 50%. As a global network U21 are committed to work together to support student mobility between member universities and an internationalisation of the student experience. Therefore, U21 is particularly pleased that this index suggests that so many network members are located in cities that offer our students positive and agreeable environments in which to live and study.

The Best Student Cities QS ranking is based on a range of indicators grouped into five key categories including University Rankings in the city, Student Mix, Desirability, Employer Activity, and Affordability. For the 2017 rankings QS have added an extra category called Student View, which draws on options of current student and recent graduates from around the world.

To be considered for inclusion in the QS ranking index, each city must have a population of over 250,000, and be home to at least two universities featured in the most recent QS World University Rankings®.